A short sail from Tortola and St. Thomas, Jost Van Dyke is a getaway among getaways. The five-square-mile island shares a common topography with the other Virgin Islands: rich green hillsides that cascade toward perfect white beaches. But Jost Van Dyke (YOST van dike) possesses a character of its own, thanks to the thousands of sailors who visit every year and the influence of one world-famous islander. Named after an early Dutch settler (some say pirate), Jost Van Dyke was a sleepy island community well into the 1960s. Islanders fished, farmed, and traveled to nearby islands for work.
One of the nicest beaches in the Virgin Islands, Jost Van Dyke’s White Bay is divided in two by a rock promontory. The offshore reef is good for snorkeling and the sand is good for relaxing. Photo © bvi4092, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
But then, in 1968, a young Philicianno “Foxy” Callwood changed things when he started selling drinks and food from a beach shack at Great Harbour. It turned out that Foxy had a serious knack for hospitality. As his reputation as an easygoing entertainer and gracious host grew, so did the number of sailors putting Jost Van Dyke in their sights.
Most people get to Jost Van Dyke on charter yachts, which explains why there are still relatively few hotel rooms on the island.Today, Foxy’s is still the best-known thing on Jost Van Dyke, but it is by no means the only reason to come here. Watering holes in Great Harbour, Little Harbour, White Bay, and the east end cater to the yachting crowd. If you are happiest with a drink in your hand and the sand beneath your feet, you can’t do much better than Jost Van Dyke.If you have the will to wander away from the beach bar, you will find an idyllic island still content with the simple life. White Bay, on the south shore, is one of the best beaches in the whole Virgin archipelago. A network of mostly unpaved roads through the island’s hills can double as hiking trails and afford explorers unmatched views, and adventurers can hike to the secluded Bubbly Pool. Jost is a great jumping-off point for exploring the out islands of Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit.
Most people get to Jost Van Dyke on charter yachts, which explains why there are still relatively few hotel rooms on the island. Still, you can find high-quality, low-fuss places to stay on Jost, including an idyllic beachfront campground. Daily ferry service from St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola makes Jost accessible to those without their own yachts.
Jost is a quiet place—most visitors will be ready to move on after a few days. But if you want to get on the fast track to complete relaxation, by all means, plan a longer stay. Just don’t forget to pack some books.
Jost makes a good day trip from St. John, Tortola, or St. Thomas, all of which are within a 45-minute ferry ride. Ferries arrive at Great Harbour, within walking distance of both White Bay and Foxy’s. New Horizon Ferry Service (284/495-9278, 25 min., $25 round-trip) makes five daily round-trips between Great Harbour and West End, Tortola. Inter-Island Boat Service (284/495-4166 or 340/776-6597, 45 min., $70 round-trip) makes two round-trip journeys daily between Cruz Bay, St. John, and Great Harbour, plus at least one round-trip between Red Hook, St. Thomas, and Great Harbour.
If you arrive by ferry, catch a taxi out to the Bubbly Pool and then head over to White Bay for an afternoon on the beach. Or stroll through Great Harbour before hiking out to White Bay for the rest of the day.
Reservations are not necessary for the Tortola to Jost Van Dyke ferry, but call ahead to confirm the schedule and availability of the ferries connecting St. Thomas and St. John with Jost Van Dyke.
Another way to get to Jost is aboard a day sail or dive excursion. Your captain may skip Great Harbour altogether and head straight to White Bay, Sandy Cay, Sandy Spit, or Diamond Cay, depending on passengers’ requests and sea conditions. Advance reservations are required for day-sail outings. Call the operator of your choice several days in advance (choose someone close to where you are staying).
Excerpted from the Sixth Edition of Moon U.S. & British Virgin Islands.
